Leishmania sterol 24-c-methyltransferase compositions for the prevention, treatment and diagnosis of leishmaniasis

Abstract

Compositions and methods for preventing, treating and detecting leishmaniasis are disclosed. The compositions generally comprise Leishmania sterol 24-c-methyltransferase (SMT) polypeptides, portions, variants and/or fusions, as well as polynucleotides encoding SMT polypeptides, portions, variants and/or fusions.

We claim: 
     
       1. A vaccine composition comprising a fusion polypeptide and an immunostimulant, wherein the fusion polypeptide comprises a first polypeptide and a second polypeptide, wherein the second polypeptide is heterologous fusion partner as to the first polypeptide, wherein the first polypeptide comprises a recombinant  Leishmania  sterol 24-c-methyltransferase (SMT) polypeptide comprising an amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, or a sequence having at least 95% identity to the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO:1, and the immunostimulant comprises a synthetic CpG unmethylated dinucleotide (CpG-containing oligonucleotide), a synthetic lipid A, monophosphoryl lipid (MPL) adjuvant, 3-de-O-acylated monophosphoryl lipid A (3D-MPL) adjuvant, an aminoalkyl glucosaminide 4-phosphates (AGP), a synthetic Toll-like receptor agonist or a combination thereof and the fusion polypeptide and the immunostimulant are present in amounts effective to induce an immune response. 
     
     
       2. A vaccine composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the immunostimulant is synthetic lipid A, MPL adjuvant, 3D-MPL adjuvant or a combination thereof. 
     
     
       3. A vaccine composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the immunostimulant is MPL adjuvant in a stable emulsion. 
     
     
       4. A method for inducing an immune response against leishmaniasis in a mammal comprising administering a vaccine composition according to  claim 1 .